We may be in a recession, but the number of women undergoing breast augmentation has barely wavered. According to recent statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), at www.surgery.org, 355,671 women made the decision to get breast implants in 2008, down just eleven percent from 2007.

The basics

Breast augmentation – commonly known as breast implants – is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic plastic surgery. It is used to enlarge a woman’s breast for cosmetic reasons or for reconstruction purposes. There are many reasons that make a woman opt for a breast augmentation procedure. Some women feel their breasts are too small, others have sagging from age or pregnancy, a lack of cleavage, or a desire to have perkier or more balanced breasts. Regardless of why you have chosen to get breast implants, it is important to understand your options regarding the type of implant, the incision site and the placement of the implants.

What you should know

Breast augmentation is performed by inserting a breast implant behind breast tissue or above the breast muscle. Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with varying designs, in a range of materials. They can be placed in different positions through a variety of incision locations. Breast augmentation is often performed in an office surgical suite or an outpatient surgical center, using local anesthesia, and also can be performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The time in surgery is typically one to three hours.

It is possible that your plastic surgeon may recommend that a breast lift and breast augmentation be performed at the same time. This is often recommended to treat the sagging appearance that results from aging or pregnancy. During this combined procedure, some breast tissue is removed, the breast skin is tightened and lifted, and an implant is inserted. Another newer technique that is available to provide a breast lift and breast augmentation is laser bra breast surgery. In this technique, a laser is used to provide more support for the breast. Find out more about the laser bra breast procedure online at www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com.

Potential drawbacks

There are some potential drawbacks to this procedure and only you can decide if they are acceptable to you. The most notable would be scarring, pain and recovery time. How long it takes will depend on your own pain threshold and the type of surgery involved. Before committing yourself to undergoing breast augmentation, you should have a very in-depth conversation with your surgeon to ensure that you have covered topics such as scarring, risk of future leaks, pain expected after the surgery, recovery times, potential breastfeeding issues and future mammograms. Have these conversations with your surgeon well in advance of your surgery, to give you time to consider your options. Also, be sure to ask your surgeon for testimonials from former patients and, if possible, before and after pictures.

What it will cost you

According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery®, at www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com, the cost of breast augmentation varies widely, depending on factors such as the surgeon’s skill, the region where you have the surgery performed, where the surgery takes place, what type of surgery you choose and what type of anesthesia is used. The average total cost ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. The average cost for the implants is $1,000 to $1,300; the anesthesia fee is typically $600 to $800; the facility fee typically ranges from $800 to $1,200. The remaining cost is the surgeon’s fee. Most surgical practices are willing to accept payments with a variety of financing options. Be sure to ask your surgeon or a staff member about payment plans.

Choosing a surgeon

When selecting a surgeon be sure that he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Be sure to ask the number of breast augmentation surgeries that the plastic surgeon has performed. The Web site for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, at www.plasticsurgery.org, will provide information on qualified surgeons in your area.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, at http://www.plasticsurgery.org; Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery®, at http://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com.

Good Form is Always a Pleasure

The patient considering breast augmentation has a number of choices. These include:

• The location of the incision (in the fold under the breast, around the areolar border, or in the armpit areas).
• The type of breast implant (silicone gel or saline, rough or smooth surface, and a variety of degrees of projection and shape).
• The location of the implant (under the breast or under the breast and the pectoral muscle).

Source: John Q. Cook, M.D., Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Whole Beauty™ Institute, Chicago. Online at http://www.WholeBeautyInstitute.com.